Efficient Multipitch Fuel

Misc thoughts after doing basically nothing but multipitch climbing/scrambling the past few years:

• If you have IBS or a sensitive stomach, the GoMacro bar is a good but pricy substitute for Clif bars now that they've put chicory root fiber in everything
• The ol' PB+J is a classic for a reason. 
• Bobos bars are tasty for a mid-climb snack and are each ~350 calories so if I don't have time to make a PB+J that's usually what I'm bringing (along with a higher protein snack for after).
• Sometimes gummy peach rings are just what the doctor ordered on a long summer day.
• If too much sugar is becoming an issue, sausage sticks are a good calorie-dense complement
• Splitting a gatorade/powerade between two 32oz water bottles (one per climber) and topping them both off with water dilutes them to a non-sickening thickness and gets you some electrolytes and calories. Cucumber lime every time.

MattHwrote:

Misc thoughts after doing basically nothing but multipitch climbing/scrambling the past few years:

• If you have IBS or a sensitive stomach, the GoMacro bar is a good but pricy substitute for Clif bars now that they've put chicory root fiber in everything
• The ol' PB+J is a classic for a reason. 
• Bobos bars are tasty for a mid-climb snack and are each ~350 calories so if I don't have time to make a PB+J that's usually what I'm bringing (along with a higher protein snack for after).
• Sometimes gummy peach rings are just what the doctor ordered on a long summer day.
• If too much sugar is becoming an issue, sausage sticks are a good calorie-dense complement
• Splitting a gatorade/powerade between two 32oz water bottles (one per climber) and topping them both off with water dilutes them to a non-sickening thickness and gets you some electrolytes and calories. Cucumber lime every time.

Bobo bars are the SHIT I just wish they weren't so freakin expensive! 

scroggin goes hard

Pat Marrinanwrote:

Where are you finding spring 57% off???

Fuel goods, but I guess they sold it all out. Sorry about that!

https://fuelgoods.com/blogs/articles/gelgate-important-update-about-spring-energy-and-our-commitment-to-your-trust?_pos=2&_sid=caf1b61da&_ss=r

Tom England wrote:

iirc, high-carb foods are generally better than high-fat foods for refueling for climbing. 

What is a dense and cheap high-carb food?

The raisins in the GORP.

I carry dried dates and hard cheese for a snack, and PB and J for lunch. If the weather is too hot, then I bring salty brined olives instead of cheese.

1.  A good breakfast.  Rice and eggs is great for big days. Carbs, protein, fast, easy to digest.  Make the rice the night before. 

2. Nature's Bakery Fig Bars.  Good price, widely available. 

3. Any product from Skratch Labs.  Matcha gummies will save your life.  Hydration mix is good. 

4. +1 on the GU flask.  I've done maple syrup in the past, starting to make my own maltodextrin gel. 

5. Some protein.  Justin's nut butter pouches or a handful of almonds. 

Really depends on the nature of the mission, conditions, the type of climbing (lots of easy stuff, but a long day vs. say lots of really hard climbing). Depending on the nature of your day, you may want to track your diet against certain foods on the glycemic index. Or at least note which ones to eat (or not eat) before, during, and/or after your effort. 

I like to make/bring these cookies: https://mikeswindow.com/notebook/run-fast-cook-slow-sweet-potato-cookies-with-acorn-squash/

Maybe not as crush-resistant as some of the other suggestions to be stuffed into tiny pockets, but they taste just fine even when a little broken up! Always a favorite with my climbing partners. A few recipe changes I make: swap coconut for vegetable oil, use only sweet potato, and I typically cook the sweet potato in the microwave rather than oven since it's easier. I like raisins as the mix ins, but those can be controversial... I'd probably avoid chocolate so it doesn't melt and get sticky, but that's just me. These cookies freeze really well, (as does the cooked sweet potato, if you want to pause your baking for a while) so I'll typically make a double batch and then grab a few for a climbing day (or bring the whole box for a long trip). You can even eat them straight out of the freezer.

I like a muscle milk for when I can’t imagine chewing anything

Funny no one has mentioned RX or perfect bars, they’re my favorite but a little hard to swallow (and messy if hot).

I have a problem with electrolytes wanting to be multivitamins, so I use LMNT for the lack of sugar,  3rd party testing, high sodium and minimal ingredients. Throw it and some matcha into a bottle you’ll bring before you go and you'll have the best pick me up I’ve found.

Otherwise beef jerky, nuts, and dates (cool so many people do the same).

CTBwrote:

I use an old swizzle stick thing. Its just a ball bearing on a stick, but works great to scoop honey. You spin it like your gathering molten glass on a mandrel while glass blowing. Then you just stop spinning when you want it to droop and begin to run off.

 

I finally got around to trying this and it's great. Way easier to get honey into the things than I thought. I'm really excited about it for ski season.  Thanks!

I've been eating these maple syrup packs for a bit now and really like them for long alpine days/etc. 320 calories (100% carbs and some electrolytes) in a quite small package, takes 2 seconds to fully consume and you can easily just have half of one (unlike gu, the container is easily resealable). Definitely need to mix and match with some other protein/fat so you don't totally bonk.

https://www.embarkmaple.com/shop/p/salted-maple-energy-organic

40 gu and 1L water. Really go for it.

noka smoothie pouches fit well in pockets 

If it’s not too hot, chocolate. 

Coby Fwrote:

Funny no one has mentioned RX or perfect bars, they’re my favorite but a little hard to swallow (and messy if hot).

I have a problem with electrolytes wanting to be multivitamins, so I use LMNT for the lack of sugar,  3rd party testing, high sodium and minimal ingredients. Throw it and some matcha into a bottle you’ll bring before you go and you'll have the best pick me up I’ve found.

Otherwise beef jerky, nuts, and dates (cool so many people do the same).

Rx Bars(I always wondered if this is meant to be pronounced "Presciption Bars") were amazing a few years ago when they first came out. Hard to find, moist and delicious, soft and easy to chew. Like all things, as production scaled, quality dropped. Eating them now feels like gnawing on a handful of semi-sweet rubberbands. I yearn for the old days haha.

Lots of jerky is my go-to. Probably more jerky than your average person would like to consume on a long multipitch. Fueling well and properly generally also staves off most hunger. I find myself forgetting to eat often on long routes but not feeling any dip in energy.

I've gotten into the routine of a light, easily digestible breakfast (~700 calories) before climbing, then one or two of Lenny & Larry's protein cookies for "lunch" (~500 calories each) and supplement in between with the sugariest gummies I can find. Either peach rings, nerds gummy clusters, or mike and Ikes. 

One water bottle and one electrolyte bottle. This layout has gotten me through some long days, all goes down easily, and is burned by the body quickly. 

CTBwrote:

I use an old swizzle stick thing. Its just a ball bearing on a stick, but works great to scoop honey. You spin it like your gathering molten glass on a mandrel while glass blowing. Then you just stop spinning when you want it to droop and begin to run off.

 

Don't lie, thats just a hero dab of some top shelf rosin.

Your own fat, if you go on keto. No snacks required. Just a big steak the night before and you'll be trucking the next day.